00 AND DRUG.S AUTHO+ ••

~FD. ~G H A N A

Food and DrugsAuthority

Head OfficeP. O. Box CT 2783,Cantonments, Accra-GhanaTel: (+233-302)233200, 235100Fax: (+233-302)229794,225502Email: fda@fdaghana.govgh

PRESS RELEASE ON CONFIRMED LASSA FEVER CASE IN GHANA: 01 MARCH 2018

The information below is a press release published by the Ministry of Healthl Ghana HealthService

Ghana has confirmed a case of Lassa fever (LF) in the Tema Metropolis, Greater Accra region. Onthe 23rd February 2018, a 26-year old man was rushed to the Tema General Hospital (TGH) withgeneral body weakness, severe headache, joint pains and profuse vomiting of blood with clots. Thesymptoms started on the 22ndFebruary, 2018. He vomited blood with clots on admission.

The patient had come from the Kintampo North District of the Brong Ahafo Region a few weeks agoto Tema. Within the three-week period, he also travelled to Eastern, Volta and the Brong-AhafoRegions. He was suddenly taken ill on 22nd February 2018 and he reported to Tema General Hospitalon the 23rd of February after the symptoms had worsened and was admitted. The patient was seen atthe Emergency Unit of the hospital and resuscitation and further investigations were started.

Blood sample was taken and sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) forlaboratory investigation and was to be confirmed Lassa fever. The patient was managed in theisolation unit and was later moved to the Infectious Disease Center (lDC) at Tema General Hospital.Patient's condition improved for a while and started deteriorating on the night of 27th February.Unfortunately, he died at the early hours of 28th February 2018.

Actions Taken by the Ghana Health Service I Ministry of Health

• Safe and dignifying burial has been done under supervision and support of trained professionals.

• Enhanced surveillance including Points of Entry (POEs) Surveillance with screening at therespective POEs.

• Contact tracing and follow up process have been initiated.

• Regional and district health facilities have been informed about the outbreak

• Media sensitization and public education started about two weeks ago and is still ongoing,following the alert from the outbreak in Nigeria early this year.

• Sensitization of staff on Lassa fever (Prevention, Case Management, Standard PrecautionaryMeasures and Barrier Nursing) has been initiated and is ongoing.

• Initiated process to mobilize and stockpile essential logistics such as drugs and PersonalProtecting Equipment (PPE).

• Public Health Emergency Management Committees (PHEMCs) at all levels (National, Regionsand Districts) have been activated.

• The Ghana National Technical Coordinating Committee (NTCC) which is multi-sectorial andmultidisciplinary has been activated and met to discuss response activities for containment.

We appeal to the general public to adhere to actions towards prevention and protection againstfurther spread of the disease as per information sheet on the disease attached.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON LASSA FEVER

Lassa fever is an acute viral infectious disease which is endemic in West Africa. The disease isgradual in onset with non-specific signs and symptoms. About 80% of infections are mild or withoutsymptoms, however the disease can be severe and fatal. The incubation period is between 2-21days. Ghana had earlier in 2011 confirmed few cases of Lassa fever in Ashanti and Eastern regions.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Early symptoms include: fever, general weakness and malaise.

• After a few days headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,cough and abdominal pain may follow.

• In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding tendencies (from the mouth, nose,vagina or gastrointestinal tract). This may result in low blood pressure and shock.

• Late presentation may include shock, convulsion, disorientation, coma, multiple organ failure.

• Complications during recovery include permanent hearing loss (30% of cases), transient hair lossand gait disturbance during recovery.

• The disease may present like Ebola, Yellow fever, Malaria, Typhoid fever, Respiratory TractInfections, Ear, Nose and Throat infections etc.

How does Lassa fever spread?• Lassa fever is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, saliva, faeces and blood of

rodents. The disease is endemic in rodent population in parts of West Africa. The reservoir for thevirus is "multi-mammate rat".

• Person to person transmission through direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva,stool, vomitus, urine and sweat of infected person and soiled linen used by a patient.

• Sharp instruments such as needles that have been used by an infected person.

• Non-professional handling of persons who have died of Lassa fever.

Can Lassa fever be treated?There is an effective drug for treatment if reported early to a health facility/centre.

How can Lassa fever be prevented?• No human vaccine against Lassa fever. Raising awareness of the risk factors of the disease and

the protective measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infection and death.

• Promoting good "community hygiene" in order to discourage rodents from entering homeo Storing grains and other food stuffs in rodent-proof containerso Disposal of garbage should be far from the homeo Maintaining clean households and keeping cats to scare rodents awayo Family members should avoid contacts with blood and body fluids while caring for the sick

• Burial of death from Lassa fever should be done by trained persons

For more Information:1. Dr. Badu Sarkodie; Director of Public Health, GHS (0244t117911)

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2. Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe: Deputy Dir (PH) & Head, Disease Surveillance Dept, GHS(02446431421 )

3. Mrs. Rebecca Ackwonu - Head of Public Relations Unit, GHS (0208118787)

4. Robert Cudjoe, Head of PR Unit, MOH (0245877340 or 0249955605

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